Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 7mm anything vs. 30-06

.338 RUM

OUCH!!!!!

Y'all didn't mention that before. I like those two just fine. In fact, I consider them two of the best ever.

A short action seems to be glaringly missing. Perhaps a handy .243, .260.or .338 Fed would fit nicely.

Yes I have, and the 325WSM too. I like the 300WSM a lot. But the availability when travelling is not as good as I'd like.

You're right. I could squeeze one of those in pretty easy. But the 270 and one of my 30-06s are Kimber 84Ls, so I wouldn't save much weight. Just some length. And I'd have to work hard to convince myself I was filling a gap.

I have a couple short rifles too, but they aren't bolt guns. One is an 18-1/2" BAR in 308, and the other is an 1892 Winchester in 44RemMag.

Thanks

7mm STW might be the ticket, or a 7mm Rem. Mag. I would think the STW would be a great option for more range.

If you can't get it done with a 30-06, perhaps you should not be trying it.

Check with Phil Shoemaker.

Agreed on the ranging capability, but if it doesn't kill better than a 30-06 I think I can make do with what I have.

Not absolutely sure what Phil would say, but it seems that he likes his 375 Ruger pretty well.

Maybe he didn't say that?

That was my first thought. But, I'd put a 210gr X at 3200 up there with the 375.

I'm not so sure a huge gap exists between the 30-06 and the 375 H&H that needs to be filled.

I agree, honestly in the past couple of years I've changed things just get back to the basics. Sold or traded 338 win mag, 280 rem, 7 mm rem. Mag, 35 whelen and a 375 H&H. A couple more also. I was spending more time trying to get this and that right than hunting. I need more time in the woods.

...............The 7mm Rem mag or other big 7 will offer flatter trajectory, but no real increase in killing power vs the 30-06 within 400 yards.

Imo and for killing power, no 7mm can fill the caliber gap between a 30-06 and a 375 quite like a 338. Seems like you prefer a 338 Win mag, but don`t want a heavier rifle or the extra recoil associated with it. And you want a flatter shooting cartridge than is your 35 Whelen, and prefer the standard chamberings for traveling which eliminates the 338-08 and 338 RCM.

Can`t have everything, so you compromise keeping the top priorities first; extra killing power, flatter trajectory and lower recoil.

First, get to the gym for some added weight training to handle the extra rifle weight. Then get some very good hearing protection for field use, then ask your boss for a wee bit of a raise to cover the reloading and/or ammo expense or give yourself a raise if you are self employed, and then go get either a 340 Wby mag or the 338-378 Wby Mag with a muzzle brake, which will reduce recoil by a fair margin.

You`ll compromise adding on noise, some more rifle weight, and added reloading/ammo expenses. But using either with a brake, you`ll be getting the flatter trajectory you seek, most assurely the extra killing power you seek, and you`ll have a less recoiling rifle than is a 338 Win without a brake.

Good luck with this choice.

Not too long ago as a gap filler between my 300 WSM and 375 Ruger, I added on a 338-378 Wby Accumark to my rep-eee-twaa! Imo, unless you go with a big 338, no need for a big 7mm with what you already have.

That's what I've been thinking too.

..........The 338-378 Bee is an awesome long range round to say the least. You can load it down to most 338 RUM levels and down to upper 340 Wby velocities too if desired.

Other than where a 375 caliber is the minimum DG caliber for Africa, this round will take care of any game on the planet. And if it were legal for all African DG, it`ll take care of them too.

For me anyway, well worth the added noise, rifle weight and length.

Warn the guy shooting next to ya at the range. After a shot or two from a 338-378, he will "gladly" yield and rotate his shots around you......

Dude, quit trying to rationalize this. EVERYBODY should own a 7Mag of some sort. Just get it done.

That's what I've been thinking too.

If you don't know the answer to that one already, I don;t think that we can help you

............Everybody should maybe, but not all do!

Well they should... *grin*

Then get one!

And a 375,either Ruger or H&H,and you're done.No compromises....

There is nothing contradictory about owning a 30/06 and a 7mag of some sort,as they are enough alike and enough different that they each have roles where one can be a bit better than the other,yet serve similar purposes if they have to.